Fay-Penn OKs loan for Connellsville business
Fay-Penn Economic Development Council had a full plate on Friday. Leo Krantz, Fay-Penn chairman, reviewed a variety of projects at the group’s regular quarterly meeting, ranging from a loan to a growing business to emphasis on local education.
And Mike Krajovic, Fay-Penn president, missed the meeting because he was in Pittsburgh launching a new Fay-Penn cable TV venture.
“We have a lot going on,’ Krantz told the Fay-Penn board.
Fay-Penn approved a low-interest loan for $83,000 to MF&B Restaurant Systems Inc. in Connellsville to expand its business of remanufacturing conveyor pizza ovens for companies like Fox’s Pizza, Pizza Hut and Domino’s.
MF&B, which started in the Connellsville Incubator, is buying commercial property at 133 I.C.M.I. Road in Dunbar. Linda S. Yuhaniak, Fay-Penn accounting manager, said MF&B will fund the project using money from the Fay-Penn Revolving Loan Fund, $133,000 from National City Bank, and $34,000 in equity investment.
Incorporated in 1999, MF&B is owned by Mark A. Bielstein and Michael A. French, who together have more than three decades of experience in the pizza industry. MF&B, according to Fay-Penn, will offer a new conveyor pizza oven as well as its remanufactured products. The company attributes its growth to its product warranty, comparable to that of a warranty on new equipment.
Krantz, in reviewing a meeting he had recently with Raymond J. McNulty, a senior consultant for the International Center for Leadership in Education (ICLE), discussed Fay-Penn’s work to improve the local education system through its Reaching Educational Achievement with Community Help (REACH) and other initiatives.
“He told me that it is rare to have an economic development organization so involved in education to bring it down to the local level,’ Krantz said.
McNulty, who was a senior fellow at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, recently joined the ICLE, a group that for the past several years has offered local teachers training and coaching under Fay-Penn and local business sponsorship.
“Education is very important to us,’ Krantz said, adding that he has gained a “new respect’ for today’s teachers.
“The key to changing education starts with the parents. …I have a great empathy for teachers, because nearly one-third of their day is taken up with handling problems parents should be caring for.
“We are going to have to change our curriculum and methods if we want to keep up with the world,’ he added.
Krantz specifically discussed vocational schools and how they should be viewed as tech centers.
“Not every student wants to go to college. We place the wrong connotation on our vocational schools. There is a stigma that is unwarranted. Students are being trained in the trades, and those can be excellent jobs. Let’s face it – if you don’t have hot water in the morning, who do you call?’
While Krantz addressed those at the meeting, Krajovic served as master of ceremonies at a press conference at Pittsburgh’s Station Square, where the new “Discover Pittsburgh Country’ was previewed.
In 1991, Fay-Penn commissioned a feasibility study to determine the viability of establishing and maintaining a regional cable television outlet. The purpose of the endeavor is to increase awareness of tourism sites in the 11-county southwestern Pennsylvania region, including Fayette, Greene and Washington counties.
“One goal of the tourism media outlet would be to contribute to the economic revitalization of the area by enticing visitors to stay longer or to return to the area. Another goal is to create awareness among the local residents of local attractions and events,’ Fay-Penn said.
Krantz said the service will reach more than 350,000 households served by Comcast, and officials hope other cable systems will participate.
In reports, Bob Opel, Fay-Penn construction/property manager, said the group has leased 2,800 square feet in its Brownsville site to a group of physicians from Uniontown Hospital.
“We are also negotiating with another firm that will take the remaining 5,000 square feet. I hope to have an announcement ready in about a month.’
Lisa Nypaver, Fay-Penn community development specialist, said the group has been approved for $190,133 in funding through the Federal Enterprise Community (FEC) program. The money is used to support a variety of projects.
Fay-Penn also announced that Advanced Acoustic Concepts will hold a grand opening April 1 for its new building in the University Technology Park, on Route 119 next to Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.
Fay-Penn will hold its annual meeting May 19.